LBA demands district status for Zanskar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 3:Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Zanskar has demanded district status for Zanskar Sub Division.
Reiterating the demand at a press conference here today, the LBA, Zanskar, president Tsewang Chostar, Chhering Tandup, Lobzang, vice president All Zanskar Nambardar Association and representatives of All Zanaskar Students Union, Jammu said Zanskar trans Himalaya is an important geographical region having a significant history and civilization.
They said Zanskar was given special importance and preference from very beginning. During the time of Maharaja Hari Singh rule Zanskar had a representative called Praja Sabha equivalent of present MLA in the Council of Maharaja. Even in modern history of Ladakh three tehsils were created i.e Leh, Kargil and Zanskar, they added.
They said fortunately Leh and Kargil were given district status in 1979 but Zanskar was ignored though its claim for granting of district status was genuine from very beginning.
They said that geographically Zanskar is one of the most backward and remote areas within district. It is the only Sub Division in India which is 235 kms far away from district headquarter having Kachha road and remains cut off from district Headquarter and rest of the world for seven months in a year. The Zanskar region is spread over 8000 sq kms geographical area and the region is having the border with Himachal Pradesh is South to Kishtwar in South West etc, they added.
They said within Zanskar region some of the villages are situated more than 100 kms far away from its Sub Division Headquarter, Padum and remain isolated within Sub region. An effective, accountable, efficient and good governance can’t be delivered in area like Zanskar which is spread at such a large geographical area and very far away from its district headquarters, they added.
The LBA leaders said some districts like Upper Dibang of Arunachal Pradesh having a population of 8500 and geographical area of 3525 sq kms has been given the district status while in case of Zanskar it has population of over 20,000 souls and a geographical area of 8000 sq kms. Besides, there are other districts in the country like Mahe (Pucucherry) Central Delhi in Delhi, Yanan (Puducherry) Diu (Daman and Diu) having geographical area of less than 50 sq kms.
While justifying the demand they said Zanskar deserves district status as in the present era of development people of Zanskar are living in worst conditions due to absence of facilities and administration in the area. The only solution to problem is that the administration should be at the door steps of the people and it will be possible only by granting the district status to Zanskar, they added.
The LBA, Zanaskar have made an appeal to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Home Minister, Amit Shah and Governor, Satya Pal Malik seeking their immediate intervention in settling the demand.
The LBA while welcoming the abrogation of controversial Article 370 and 35 A by Narendra Modi Government and creation of two UTs in J&K said that people of Ladakh feel liberated now and can get equal share in employment and there will be no discrimination with Ladakh region to which it was subjected to over seven decades.
They termed the decision of PM Narendra Modi a calculated step. They said India’s image has increased in the comity of nations after Modi took over as PM as earlier Indian Governments were afraid of China but now China is afraid of India, they added.
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